Chapter 7 Section 4: Wilson and the Mexican Revolution

Main Idea: American intervention in Mexico’s revolution caused strained relations

Daily Bell Ringer Section 4 In 1911 Francisco “Pancho” Villa helped drive Mexico’s

dictator out of power. To some, villa was a bandit and a murderer, to others, a folk hero. In 1915, as Villa vied for leadership of Mexico, President Woodrow Wilson gave diplomatic recognition to his rival Venustiano Carranza. In revenge, Villa and his men killed some Americans in Mexico and crossed the border into New Mexico killing more Americans. U.S. forcers entered Mexico and chased Villa for the next year, but they never caught him. By 1917, U.S. interest shifted to the war in Europe and U.S. forces left Mexico. Villa retired to his ranch. In 1923 he was ambushed and killed.

Review Questions

What did Pancho Villa accomplish in 1911?

Why did U.S. forces leave Mexico in 1917 before having caught Villa?

From 1877 to 1910 Porforio Diaz ruled Mexico as a dictator.

He established order, but was also harsh He jailed any opponent, outlawed freedom of the press,

used the army to enforce peace at any cost He used American investment money to modernize Mexico,

build railroads, created factories etc. Small group of people became wealthy, while most

people remained very poor As a result, Mexicans became increasingly unhappy

under Diaz’s rule

In 1910, Diaz was up for re-election Diaz jailed his opponent (Francisco Madero),

controlled the outcome, and claimed victory Madero was released from prison and fled to

the U.S., declared himself President of Mexico and called for a revolution

The Mexican Revolution begins Series of uprisings in different parts of Mexico Emiliano Zapato and the Zapatistas were a

group of Native American peasants who were fighting to have their land returned

Fancisco Pancho Villa led a large scale revolt in Northern Mexico

Rebellion spread and in 1911 Diaz fled to France

In 1911 Madero was elected President and tried to establish a Democratic Government

Victoriano Huerta, the commander of the military overthrows him and has him executed, and declares himself president

4 separate armies organize to oust Huerta

Reading Focus Question #1

How did the Diaz dictatorship spark a revolution in Mexico? Limited civil rights, jailed his opponents, used the

army to maintain peace, there was widespread poverty.

President Woodrow Wilson refuses to recognize Huerta as president, agrees to sell arms to Huerta’s enemies

9 U.S. navy officers are arrested by Huerta when they go ashore in Tampico for supplies. They are released unharmed, but U.S. admiral demands a 21 gun salute…Mexico refuses

Because of the Tampico incident President Wilson asks Congress to authorize the use of force against Mexico, they authorize the use of force

Meanwhile, Wilson learns that there is a ship loaded with weapons headed to Tampico that Huerto purchased from the Germans.

Wilson orders the U.S. navy to sieze the city U.S. Marines land in Veracruz, which they

expected to take easily. The battle of Veracruz results in 17 American and 300 Mexican deaths

U.S. occupies Mexico for 6 months on the verge of war

Full blown war is avoided because of mediators from Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba.

He was directed to step down Initially refused but eventually he fled to

Spain

Reading Focus Question #2

How and Why did the United States intervene in the Mexican Revolution? Sent troops and occupied Veracruz did not recognize Huerta’s claim to presidency Tampico incident Germans were sending arms to Huerta

Venustiano Carranza steps in and claims presidency but faces opposition from Pancho Villo and Emiliano Zapato

Wilson decides to support Carranza because he doesn’t want Mexico split up between Villo and Zapato

Villo responds by crossing into New Mexico and burning a town and killing 17 Americans

This is the first armed invasion into the U.S. since the War of 1812

Wilson sends 10,000 troops to Mexico to capture Villa

Mexicans are increasingly resentful of American presence

In 1917 Wilson calls off the search for Villa because of World War I

In 1917 Carranzo calls a constitutional convention to draft a new constitution

New Constitution incorporates the ideals of all the rebel groups and grants civil liberties and rights to citizens

Fighting continues in Mexico until 1920 Agriculture is destroyed, mines are

abandoned, factories are destroyed, the economy suffers

Many Mexicans begin immigrating to the U.S. in search of better life, work and more stability

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HqTFvCtVgI

Reading Focus Question #3

How did the Mexican Revolution Conclude? U.S. withdrew troops New Mexican Constitution put into effect Wilson supported Carranza as the new Mexican

President

Review Questions for Section 4 How did Francisco Madero become Mexico’s

president? Why Diaz imprison Madero What started the Tampico incident? Why did the United States think it was

justified in seizing Veracruz? Who led the opposition to Carranza? Why was the U.S. determined to find Pacho

Villa?

Pairs assignment:

With a partner or group of 2-3 students create a flowchart that shows the sequence of events in the Mexican Revolution, from the overthrow of Diaz to the constitution of 1917. Use as many boxes as you need!